I only read my Twitter feed at night after the kids have gone to bed. Last week a friend commented on this Twitter thread.
At 38, I’m not always considered a Millennial, but this made me wonder: how many jobs have I had?
My employment history is a hodgepodge of hopes pursued and the reality of capability and necessity. The ever-present struggle of could do vs. should do continues. Some jobs were just work – a way to make money and pay the bills. Some were career jobs. Lots were gigs. And I’m not sure I’ve ever just worked one job at a time. Honestly, I can’t remember.
My first job was working a retail job at the local mall in high school. That was dreadful. I’m not sure I lasted the season. Then I worked for a local drycleaners. I took in orders, organized the clean clothes and covered them with the familiar plastic, and worked the register.
In college, I got a steady job doing data entry, collating tax returns, and some easy bookkeeping for a couple of accountants. I did that for a few years and then switched to being a waitress. I served at two restaurants, and learned a lot about people.
My first degree is in music. So there’s an entire section of my work history that is just gigs. Some were steady employment, like when I was a singer in a church choir. That led to being a handbell director and director of children’s choirs for the church as well. Three jobs, one location. In college, I got a gig singing Little Red Riding Hood in a musical at elementary schools. Most gigs were one-time deals. I once sang in the backup choir for Barry Manilow at his New Year’s Eve concert. That was fun. I almost got to perform on stage at the Oscar’s one year, but then the U.S. invaded Iraq and the song we rehearsed was cancelled that day. The life of a musician. Each gig is different – new music, new conductor, new location, new pay rate, new dress code. It is possible to pursue it as a career and join the union, but it’s not like joining other trade unions. You don’t just get a union job and pay the dues. Besides, in Los Angeles, there’s tons of non-union work to be done. Regardless, most gigs you do for the income. It’s risky to say no if you’re offered work. Good gigs mean you’re compensated fairly, treated like a human being, and maybe perform in a new venue or premiere a new work or collaborate with someone you admire. In every gig is the hope that maybe it’ll lead to another gig, another opportunity to do what you love for pay. I have no idea how many gigs I’ve gotten to do. So, I’ll count singer as one job.
My graduate degree is from seminary. The other half of my employment history is the ministry side. I’ve been a Director of Youth Ministries, a Sunday School Director, and an Associate Minister. My favorite ministry job was as a hospital chaplain, which I served at both as an intern in one hospital and as a resident in another. Once I was hired as a speaker for a women’s retreat. These were career employment, but they paid less per hour.
When I became a mom, we decided I’d be the stay-at-home parent until the kids were in school full-time. I continued working as a piano teacher and singer because I could control how much and when I needed to work. Christmas and Easter are my busy seasons. Just last week I got two new gigs, and lost one. I’ve also done some side-hustles — as a substitute teacher in a middle school and as a DoTERRA wellness advocate.
So how many jobs is that in 20 years of working? 17? 18? I’m not complaining. My pursuit of employment in the music field and ministry should be a pretty clear indication that I don’t work for the money. Some jobs I was well-suited for and even paid fairly. At many, I have been incredibly under paid and/or were unnecessarily stressful. I have broken down sobbing at more than one place of employment. I used to think it was because I’m “emotional.” Now, I know better. I’m capable and reliable. Some employers are just dysfunctional. I didn’t always feel I could leave even though the lack of stability or a living wage has always been mitigated either by my spouse’s income, and, before that, help from my parents.
I remember being in high school and being told that, unlike previous generations who would probably have one career and work for a few companies in their lifetime, I should prepare myself for 5-7 careers. I was encouraged to go to college because a degree would give me flexibility and a network.
Interestingly, my husband is only 3 years older than me. He went into engineering largely because he could make a good, steady income doing something he reasonably enjoyed. I asked him how many jobs he’s had. He’s worked his current job as an engineer for 14 years! Before that, he did work for a temp agency, one internship, and, of course, mowed lawns as a kid. So, if we combine all the temp jobs as 1 job, then he’s had 4 jobs. Even counting the temp jobs separately, I think he still comes in under 10 jobs.
In the Twitter thread I commented on, 17 was not an unusual number for the Millenials responding. Almost all worked more than one job at a time. As the kids get older and go to school, I’m ready to work more, so the question is: what’re jobs 18-20 going to be?